TOMS RIVER — Critical repairs needed to the natural gas infrstructure on the barrier island in Toms River will necessitate closure to traffic from Dec. 8-18, the township announced.

The barrier island will be closed to traffic from December 8-18 so that New Jersey Natural Gas can safely complete repairs.

NJNG will be working on sections of the barrier island, moving in a north-to-south direction, town-by-town. As each area is activated, the gas company will continue to move south on the barrier island.

In order to activate the gas lines, NJNG can’t allow any source of ignition in the area, such as something that motor vehicles could create. There will no access to the barrier island unless NJNG authorizes permission to enter the area.

“As soon as an area has been successfully repressurized, a second team will begin meter rebuilds for that area,’’ a spokesman on the NJNG website stated. “Once a meter has been re-established and you see a tag on the customer gas valve just past your meter, your home’s natural gas service may be turned on by your qualified technician — but only after electricity has been restored, and your qualified technician has determined that your natural gas equipment is safe to operate.

“Barring unforeseen conditions that may delay our work, we anticipate restoring natural gas service by the end of December to all of our customers whose homes have not sustained such major damage that we cannot safely restore their service.

“If you smell an odor of natural gas, leave the building immediately. Do not light matches, touch electrical switches or appliances, or use your telephone. From a safe location, customers should notify us of all gas leaks immediately at 800-GAS-LEAK.”

Any questions regarding gas activation should be directed to NJNG at www.njng.com or their customer service department at 1-800-221-0051.